Compressor and refrigeration cycle device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a compressor and a refrigeration cycle device which can effectively utilize a supercharging effect and have excellent settability. A compressor (3) is provided with a sealed container (15), an electric motor (17), a compression mechanism (19), and an accumulator (20) connected to the compression mechanism (19). A reservoir (20) is provided with: a stepped cylindrical container (31); a partition plate (39) that divides the internal space of the container (31) into a gas-liquid separation chamber (SR) and a buffer chamber (BR); an inlet pipe (40) connected to the gas-liquid separation chamber (SR); a communication pipe (41) that passes through the partition plate (39) and connects the gas-liquid separation chamber (SR) and the buffer chamber (BR); and at least one outlet pipe (43) connected to the buffer chamber (BR). At least one outlet pipe (43) is provided on the side surface of the portion of the container (31) where the buffer chamber (BR) is located, and the maximum outer diameter (D1) of the portion of the container (31) where the gas-liquid separation chamber (SR) is located is larger than the maximum outer diameter (D2) of the portion of the container (31) where the buffer chamber (BR) is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to compressors and refrigeration cycle devices. Background Technology

[0002] To avoid performance degradation caused by a decrease in the boosting effect in a compressor, a rotary hermetic compressor with the following receiver is known. The receiver includes: a receiver body; upper and lower partition plates dividing the interior of the receiver body into an upper and lower section, each with a capacity secured on both sides; and a connecting pipe disposed between a retainer located on the upper side of the receiver body and the upper and lower partition plates. The capacity secured on the lower side of the receiver body is sometimes referred to as a buffer volume. By securing a buffer volume in the receiver, the length of the suction pipe connecting the receiver body to the hermetic housing can be adjusted. That is, the compressor adjusts the operating frequency (operating speed) of the compressor, i.e., the boosting speed, by adjusting the length of the suction pipe, thus suppressing a decrease in the boosting effect. Therefore, the compressor can avoid performance degradation caused by a decrease in the boosting effect.

[0003] The internal divisions of a reservoir body with a buffer volume are sometimes referred to as buffer chambers.

[0004] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-9455 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the invention aims to solve However, in conventional compressors, the size of the receiver and the buffer chamber located below it have correspondingly increased. This increases the space required for compressor installation and reduces its usability. Therefore, there is room for improvement in compressor design to enhance its usability while effectively utilizing the boosting effect.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a compressor and a refrigeration cycle device that can effectively utilize the pressurization effect and have excellent configuration.

[0007] Methods for solving problems To address the aforementioned problem, the compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sealed container; a compression mechanism housed in the sealed container and capable of compressing a refrigerant; an electric motor housed in the sealed container and driving the compression mechanism; and a liquid receiver disposed outside the sealed container and connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism. The liquid receiver comprises: a cylindrical container with steps; a partition plate disposed inside the container, dividing the internal space of the container into a gas-liquid separation chamber and a buffer chamber; an inlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the gas-liquid separation chamber; a connecting pipe passing through the partition plate and connecting the gas-liquid separation chamber to the buffer chamber; and at least one outlet pipe fixed to the container and connected to the buffer chamber. The at least one outlet pipe is disposed on the side of the container where the buffer chamber is located. Furthermore, when the maximum outer diameter of the portion of the container where the gas-liquid separation chamber is located is set to D1, and the maximum outer diameter of the portion of the container where the buffer chamber is located is set to D2, the compressor satisfies the following relationship (1). D1>D2 (1)

[0008] Furthermore, in order to solve the aforementioned problem, the refrigeration cycle apparatus of the present invention includes: the compressor; the radiator; the expansion device; the heat absorber; and refrigerant piping, connecting the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to allow the refrigerant to circulate. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle device and a compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid receiver in the compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid reservoir in the cylinder section of another example of a compressor equipped with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid reservoir in the cylinder of another example of a compressor equipped with an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Reference Figures 1 to 4 Embodiments of the compressor and refrigeration cycle device of the present invention will be described. Furthermore, in several drawings, the same or equivalent components are labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration cycle device and a compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] like Figure 1As shown, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 of this embodiment includes a rotary compressor 3, a radiator 5, an expansion device 7, a heat absorber 9, and a refrigerant piping 13. Hereinafter, the rotary compressor 3 will sometimes be simply referred to as "compressor 3". The refrigerant piping 13 connects the compressor 3, the radiator 5, the expansion device 7, and the heat absorber 9 in sequence, allowing refrigerant to flow. The radiator 5 is sometimes also called a condenser, and the heat absorber 9 is sometimes called an evaporator. The expansion device 7 is, for example, an electronic expansion valve (Pulse Mor Valve, PMV).

[0016] The compressor 3 includes: a vertically arranged cylindrical sealed container 15; an electric motor 17 housed in the upper half of the sealed container 15; a compression mechanism 19 housed in the lower half of the sealed container 15; a crankshaft (omitted) that transmits the rotational driving force of the electric motor 17 to the compression mechanism 19; a main bearing and a secondary bearing (omitted) that provide a rotatable linkage support for the crankshaft; and a liquid reservoir 20 disposed outside the sealed container 15 and connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism 19.

[0017] The sealed container 15 has a cylindrical part 15a extending in the vertical direction, a hemispherical or elliptical upper end plate 15b at the upper end of the blocking part 15a, and a hemispherical or elliptical lower end plate 15c at the lower end of the blocking part 15a.

[0018] In the cylinder section 15a, multiple connectors 21 are provided to support multiple suction pipes 13a that guide refrigerant to the suction side of the compressor 19, and these connectors are brazed to each suction pipe 13a. The multiple suction pipes 13a are connected to the receiver 20. The multiple suction pipes 13a are part of the refrigerant piping 13. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 In the example, there are three inhalation tubes 13a. However, this is not a limitation; the number of inhalation tubes 13a can be one, two, or even four or more.

[0019] The upper end plate 15b supports the discharge pipe 13b through which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3 is ejected. The discharge pipe 13b is connected to the refrigerant piping 13. In addition, the upper end plate 15b has a sealed terminal portion 23 for supplying power to the motor 17.

[0020] The electric motor 17 generates a driving force that rotates the compression mechanism 19. The electric motor 17 is, for example, a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The electric motor 17 has the following configuration (omitted in the figures): a cylindrical stator fixed to the inner wall of the sealed container 15; a rotor disposed inside the stator and fixed to the crankshaft; and a plurality of leads extending from the stator and connected to the sealed terminal portion 23.

[0021] The rotor has a rotor core with magnet receiving holes and permanent magnets housed in the magnet receiving holes. The rotor is rotatable relative to the stator and is integrally fixed to the crankshaft. The rotation center lines of the rotor and crankshaft are substantially aligned with the center line of the stator.

[0022] Multiple leads are wiring that supplies power to the stator through the sealed terminal section 23; these are called leads. The number of leads varies depending on the type of motor 17. When the leads are used as an open winding type, two leads are wired for each of the U, V, and W phases, for a total of six leads. When the motor 17 is used in a star connection, one lead is wired for each of the U, V, and W phases, for a total of three leads.

[0023] The crankshaft connects the electric motor 17 to the compression mechanism 19. The crankshaft transmits the driving force generated by the electric motor 17 to the compression mechanism 19.

[0024] The compressor 19 is driven to rotate by an electric motor 17 connected via a crankshaft. It draws in gaseous refrigerant through multiple suction pipes 13a, compresses the drawn-in refrigerant, and sprays the compressed refrigerant into a sealed container 15. The lower part of the sealed container 15 is filled with refrigeration oil, and most of the compressor 19 is immersed in the refrigeration oil.

[0025] The compression mechanism 19 has multiple cylinders, such as three cylinders 24, 25, and 26. In other words, the compressor 3 is a multi-cylinder rotary compressor with three cylinders.

[0026] Furthermore, the compressor 3 can be a single-cylinder rotary compressor with one cylinder, a multi-cylinder rotary compressor with two cylinders, or a multi-cylinder rotary compressor with four or more cylinders. The compression mechanism 19 and the liquid receiver 20 are connected via suction pipes 13a, the same number as the number of cylinders.

[0027] The reservoir 20 is fixed to the sealed container 15 via a bracket 27 provided on the cylindrical portion 15a of the sealed container 15 of the compressor 3. That is, the reservoir 20 is disposed on the outside of the sealed container 15. The reservoir 20 is fixed, for example, by welding to the bracket 27 or by a clamping strap (not shown) provided on the bracket 27 in a manner that covers the outer periphery of the reservoir 20.

[0028] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid receiver in the compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 On the basis of, such as Figure 2As shown, the container includes: a container 31 supported in an upright state; a partition plate 39 disposed inside the container 31, dividing the internal space of the container 31 into a gas-liquid separation chamber SR and a buffer chamber BR; an inlet pipe 40 fixed to the container 31, having an inlet flow path IP connected to the gas-liquid separation chamber SR; a connecting pipe 41 having a connecting flow path CP passing through the partition plate 39 and connecting the gas-liquid separation chamber SR and the buffer chamber BR; and at least one outlet pipe 43 fixed to the container 31, having an outlet flow path OP connected to the buffer chamber BR.

[0029] Additionally, the receiver 20 includes: a filter 45 disposed between the inlet pipe 40 and the connecting pipe 41 to filter out foreign matter from the refrigerant introduced into the receiver 20; and a separator 47 disposed between the filter 45 and the connecting pipe 41 to separate the refrigerant passing through the filter 45 into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The filter 45 and the separator 47 are disposed within the gas-liquid separation chamber SR of the container 31.

[0030] Furthermore, the liquid reservoir 20 may also have a support plate 49 disposed between the separation plate 47 and the partition plate 39 in the gas-liquid separation chamber SR of the container 31, which together with the partition plate 39 supports the connecting pipe 41.

[0031] Container 31 has a stepped cylindrical shape. Container 31 includes: a stepped cylindrical portion 31a extending in the vertical direction; a hemispherical or elliptical upper end plate 31b blocking one end of the cylindrical portion 31a, i.e., the upper end; and a hemispherical or elliptical lower end plate 31c blocking the other end of the cylindrical portion 31a, i.e., the lower end.

[0032] The cylindrical portion 31a has an upper cylindrical portion 31au located on the upper side and a lower cylindrical portion 31al that is continuous with the upper cylindrical portion 31au and located on the lower side than the upper cylindrical portion 31au.

[0033] The upper cylindrical section 31au supports the filter 45, the separator plate 47, the support plate 49, and the partition plate 39 in the order of refrigerant flow. The upper cylindrical section 31au forms the side wall of the gas-liquid separation chamber SR.

[0034] The lower cylindrical section 31al forms the side wall of the buffer chamber BR.

[0035] The upper end plate 31b supports the inlet pipe 40 of the liquid receiver 20 through which the refrigerant, compressed by the compression mechanism 19 of the compressor 3 and circulating in the refrigeration cycle device 1, flows into the liquid receiver 20. In addition, the inner side of the upper end plate 31b forms part of the upper side of the gas-liquid separation chamber SR.

[0036] The inner side of the lower end plate 31c forms part of the lower side of the buffer chamber BR.

[0037] The inlet pipe 40 is connected to the refrigerant piping 13. The inlet pipe 40 is a straight pipe extending along the centerline of the cylindrical section 31a, and is a straight pipe extending in accordance with the centerline of the cylindrical section 31a.

[0038] The refrigerant flowing from the inlet pipe 40 into the receiver 20 initially reaches the filter 45. The filter 45 has the required mesh size and grid size to prevent foreign matter from flowing into the compression mechanism 19 of the compressor 3.

[0039] Separator plate 47 prevents refrigerant that has passed through filter 45 from flowing directly into connecting pipe 41. Separator plate 47 is a plate with an upwardly convex shape that acts like an umbrella on connecting pipe 41. Separator plate 47 has multiple openings 47a through which refrigerant can pass. Separator plate 47 blocks the view directly below inlet pipe 40 and the view directly above connecting pipe 41. Viewed from the inlet pipe 40 side, the multiple openings 47a of separator plate 47 are positioned further outward than connecting pipe 41. Refrigerant reaching separator plate 47 flows through the multiple openings 47a of separator plate 47 down to the lower side of gas-liquid separation chamber SR of container 31.

[0040] Each opening 47a opens toward the outer periphery of the separating plate 47. In other words, each opening 47a opens toward the inner surface of the container 31. Each opening 47a is formed into a plate-shaped raw material, for example, by punching and bending.

[0041] The support plate 49 and the partition plate 39 work together to support the connecting pipe 41 inside the container 31.

[0042] The support plate 49 has holes for supporting the connecting pipe 41 and suitable openings that do not obstruct the flow of liquid and gaseous refrigerant, so that the gas-liquid separation chamber SR has a continuous space. The support plate 49 preferably has suitable support strength and support rigidity to prevent the connecting pipe 41 extending from the partition plate 39 toward the separation plate 47 from tilting or tipping over relative to the centerline of the cylinder 31a.

[0043] The partition plate 39 has no openings other than the hole supporting the connecting pipe 41, which divides the internal space of the container 31 into a gas-liquid separation chamber SR and a buffer chamber BR. The partition plate 39 is liquid-tightly and gas-tightly connected to the inner surface of the container 31, preventing refrigerant from flowing from the gas-liquid separation chamber SR to the buffer chamber BR through a path other than the connecting pipe 41. The partition plate 39 only needs to have a plane orthogonal to the centerline of the container 31, extending horizontally in the upright state of the liquid receiver 20. The upper surface of the partition plate 39 becomes the bottom surface of the gas-liquid separation chamber SR. The lower surface of the partition plate 39 becomes the upper surface of the buffer chamber BR.

[0044] The connecting pipe 41 has an inlet opening 41i disposed in the gas-liquid separation chamber SR and an outlet opening 41o disposed in the buffer chamber BR. The inlet opening 41i corresponds to the upstream end of the connecting flow path CP, and the outlet opening 41o corresponds to the downstream end of the connecting flow path CP. The outlet opening 41o can be substantially disposed on the same plane as the lower surface of the partition plate 39.

[0045] The connecting pipe 41 is disposed inside the container 31 and fixed to the support plate 49 and the partition plate 39, connecting the gas-liquid separation chamber SR and the buffer chamber BR. The connecting pipe 41 is a straight pipe extending along the center line of the cylindrical section 31a, and is a straight pipe extending parallel to the center line of the cylindrical section 31a.

[0046] Additionally, the connecting pipe 41 has at least one oil return hole 41d at its location within the gas-liquid separation chamber SR, for allowing refrigerant oil accumulated on the lower side of the gas-liquid separation chamber SR to pass through. At least one oil return hole 41d is required. The oil return hole 41d is positioned higher than the compression mechanism 19.

[0047] Each outlet pipe 43 is a suction pipe 13a of the compressor 3, communicating with the respective cylinder chambers (not shown) of the corresponding cylinders 24, 25, and 26 of the compression mechanism 19. More specifically, each outlet pipe 43 communicates with a (not shown) suction port that opens into the respective cylinder chamber of cylinders 24, 25, and 26. The number of outlet pipes 43 is the same as the number of cylinders in the compressor 3. Figure 1 In the case of the multi-cylinder compressor 3 shown, the receiver 20 is connected to the compressor 3 via a number of outlet pipes 43 equal to the number of cylinders. In the case of the single-cylinder compressor 3, the receiver 20 only needs to be connected to the compressor 3 via one outlet pipe 43. In other words, the receiver 20 only needs to have at least one outlet pipe 43, and preferably has a number of outlet pipes 43 equal to the number of cylinders in the compressor 3.

[0048] Each outlet pipe 43 allows the gaseous refrigerant separated from the refrigerant flowing into the liquid receiver 20 to flow out of the liquid receiver 20.

[0049] Each outlet pipe 43 has an inlet opening 43i disposed in the buffer chamber BR and an outlet opening 43o connected to a connector 21 leading to the respective cylinder block chambers of the corresponding cylinders 24, 25, and 26. The inlet opening 43i corresponds to the upstream end of the outlet flow path OP, and the outlet opening 43o corresponds to the downstream end of the outlet flow path OP. In addition, the inlet opening 43i may also protrude into the interior of the buffer chamber BR toward the centerline of the cylinder portion 31a.

[0050] Viewed from the inlet opening 41i at the upper end of the connecting pipe 41, the inlet openings 43i of each of the plurality of outlet pipes 43 are preferably located radially outward of the cylindrical portion 31a than the outlet opening 41o of the connecting pipe 41. Furthermore, the individual inlet openings 43i can be arranged at substantially the same radial position in the cylindrical portion 31a, spaced apart in the direction along the centerline of the cylindrical portion 31a. Additionally, each inlet opening 43i is located further away from the partition plate 39 than the outlet opening 41o of the connecting pipe 41. Moreover, each inlet opening 43i is located closer to the lower end plate 31c than the outlet opening 41o of the connecting pipe 41.

[0051] Container 31 is an assembly of four components that are divided and airtightly joined at the midpoint of the upper cylindrical section 31au, between the upper cylindrical section 31au and the lower cylindrical section 31al, and between the lower cylindrical section 31al and the lower end plate 31c. In other words, container 31 is an assembly of four components, namely, a first component, a second component, a third component, and a fourth component, arranged sequentially from the top. The inlet pipe 40, filter 45, and separator plate 47 are preferably assembled into the first component before assembling container 31. Additionally, the separator plate 39, support plate 49, and connecting pipe 41 are preferably assembled into the second component before assembling container 31. Furthermore, the outlet pipe 43 is preferably assembled into the third component before assembling container 31. The support plate 49 can be disposed at the dividing surface between the first and second components or fixed to the inside of the second component. Furthermore, the first component is sometimes referred to as the upper cup, and the second component is sometimes referred to as the lower cup.

[0052] However, as mentioned earlier, in conventional compressors equipped with receivers, a buffer chamber is installed at the bottom of the receiver to adjust the operating frequency (operating speed) of the compressor that generates boost pressure, i.e., the boost speed, in order to utilize the compressor without reducing the boosting effect. The size of the receiver increases the amount of buffer chamber required. Therefore, the space-saving performance, i.e., the scalability, of the compressor is reduced. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the compressor's scalability while effectively utilizing the boosting effect.

[0053] Therefore, in the compressor 3 of this embodiment, at least one outlet pipe 43 is provided on the side of the container 31 where the buffer chamber BR is located. That is, at least one outlet pipe 43 is provided on the side of the lower cylindrical portion 31al of the container 31. Furthermore, when the maximum outer diameter of the portion of the container 31 where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR is located, i.e., the upper cylindrical portion 31au of the container 31, is set to D1, and the maximum outer diameter of the portion of the container 31 where the buffer chamber BR is located, i.e., the lower cylindrical portion 31al of the container 31, is set to D2, the compressor 3 satisfies the following relationship (1). D1>D2 (1)

[0054] Specifically, the compressor 3 has at least one outlet pipe 43 connected to the lower end plate 31c of the container 31, which is not the reservoir 20, and is connected to the lower cylindrical portion 31a1 of the container 31. Thus, the at least one outlet pipe 43 can be constructed as a straight pipe extending substantially parallel to a direction orthogonal to the centerline of the container 31. Therefore, compared to the length of the outlet flow path of the outlet pipe in a conventional compressor, which has a bend in the outlet pipe connected to the lower end plate of the reservoir, the length of the outlet flow path OP of the outlet pipe 43 can be significantly shortened. Generally, the length of the outlet flow path of the outlet pipe has a significant impact on the boosting speed. That is, the length of the outlet flow path can be considered one of the main parameters used to control the boosting speed. Therefore, by shortening the length of the outlet flow path OP, the compressor 3 shifts the boosting speed towards the higher speed side, suppressing the deterioration of volumetric efficiency near the maximum speed. In other words, the compressor 3 can effectively utilize the boosting effect.

[0055] Furthermore, conventional compressors have a curved outlet pipe for the receiver that connects to the suction side of the compression mechanism. Therefore, the receiver's container is positioned higher than the lowest cylinder in the conventional compressor. In other words, the receiver's buffer chamber is positioned higher than the suction port connected to the cylinder body chamber of the compression mechanism. Consequently, the receiver's container compresses the space above it. In other words, to accommodate a conventional compressor, an increased upward volume is required.

[0056] On the other hand, as mentioned above, the compressor 3 of this embodiment has at least one outlet pipe 43 consisting of a straight pipe extending substantially parallel to the centerline of the container 31. In other words, the buffer chamber BR of the reservoir 20 is not located above the suction port connected to the cylinder body chambers of cylinders 24, 25, and 26, respectively. Therefore, it is not necessary to move the reservoir 20 upward as in conventional compressors, thus suppressing the increase in the installation volume required for the compressor 3. That is, the installation convenience of the compressor 3 is improved.

[0057] In addition, in conventional compressors, the upper and lower parts of the container that are divided into the internal space of the liquid receiver by the partition plate have essentially the same outer diameter.

[0058] On the other hand, in the compressor 3 of this embodiment, the maximum outer diameter D1 of the upper cylinder 31au is larger than the maximum outer diameter D2 of the lower cylinder 31al. Therefore, by increasing the vertical length of the lower cylinder 31al without increasing the maximum outer diameter D2 of the lower cylinder 31al, the compressor 3 ensures the required volume of the buffer chamber BR of the reservoir 20 for adjusting the boost speed, within a height range where the reservoir 20 is not located above the reservoir position of a conventional compressor. Furthermore, by increasing the vertical length of the lower cylinder 31al, even when the number of at least one outlet pipe 43 is two or more, space can be ensured on the side of the lower cylinder 31al for arranging two or more outlet pipes 43.

[0059] Furthermore, regardless of the relationship between the maximum outer diameter D1 and the maximum outer diameter D2, the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 31au of container 31 is generally greater than the outer diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 31al of container 31. Specifically, in the area near the partition plate 39 that divides the gas-liquid separation chamber SR and the buffer chamber BR, i.e., near the boundary between the gas-liquid separation chamber SR and the buffer chamber BR, the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 31au of container 31 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 31al of container 31. On the other hand, in areas other than the area near the partition plate 39, the outer diameter of the upper cylindrical portion 31au is always greater than the outer diameter of the lower cylindrical portion 31al of container 31.

[0060] Furthermore, when the shortest distance between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the container 31 where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR of the liquid reservoir 20 is located, i.e. the outer side of the upper cylinder 31au, is set as L1, and the shortest distance between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the container 31 where the buffer chamber BR of the liquid reservoir 20 is located, i.e. the outer side of the lower cylinder 31al, is set as L2, it is preferable to satisfy the following relationship (2). L1 <L2 (2)

[0061] Generally, if the compressor's sealed container and the receiver can be brought closer together, the compressor's installation volume can be reduced, achieving space-saving and improved design. However, in conventional compressors, the outlet pipe, which has a bend connecting the sealed container and the receiver, requires a certain radius of curvature at the bend, and sufficient allowance must be ensured at the connection point (connection margin) to the suction side of the compression mechanism. Therefore, a certain distance is required between the sealed container and the receiver. In other words, there are strict limitations on the distance that can be used to bring the conventional compressor's sealed container and receiver closer together.

[0062] On the other hand, in the compressor 3 of this embodiment, based on satisfying the above-mentioned relationship (1), the shortest distance L1 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the upper cylinder 31au is made smaller than the shortest distance L2 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the lower cylinder 31al. As a result, the limitation of the distance between the sealed container and the liquid receiver in conventional compressors is alleviated, and the upper cylinder 31au, where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR, which requires a large volume, is located, is brought closer to the sealed container 15, thereby improving the installation flexibility of the compressor 3.

[0063] Furthermore, the compression mechanism 19 may also have two or more cylinders 24, 25, and 26. Generally, the more cylinders a compressor has, the larger the liquid receiver becomes. Furthermore, in conventional compressors, the more cylinders there are, the higher the liquid receiver is positioned. In the compressor 3 of this embodiment, the outlet pipes 43 corresponding to two or more cylinders 24, 25, and 26 can be provided on the side of the lower cylindrical portion 31a1 of the liquid receiver 20, thus avoiding the liquid receiver 20 being positioned higher compared to conventional compressors. Therefore, when the compression mechanism 17 has two or more cylinders 24, 25, and 26, the increase in the installation volume of the compressor 3 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0064] Furthermore, the refrigerant is preferably a mixture of R32 and R125, i.e., a single refrigerant such as R410A or R1234yf, or a mixture of at least R1234yf. In other words, the refrigerant is preferably one whose speed of sound when flowing into the suction side of the compression unit 19 is less than 200 meters per second (m / s). When using these refrigerants, the compressor 3, while depending on the purpose and specifications, generally operates at a higher speed. Therefore, these refrigerants improve the performance of the compressor 3, even when operating with the boosting speed shifted towards a higher speed, thus suppressing the reduction in volumetric efficiency.

[0065] Furthermore, refrigerants that include at least R1234yf include, for example, R448A, R449A, R454B, and R454C. Additionally, single refrigerants such as R410A and R1234yf, or refrigerants that include at least R1234yf, have a slower speed of sound compared to single refrigerants such as R32 and R290. For example, the speed of sound of single refrigerant R32 is 220 meters per second (m / s), while the speed of sound of single refrigerant R1234yf is 140 meters per second (m / s).

[0066] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid reservoir in the cylinder section of another example of a compressor equipped with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 4It is a longitudinal sectional view of a liquid receiver of a cylindrical part, which is another example of a compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] In addition, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the part of the container 31A where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR is located is preferably a single-piece structure. In other words, the upper end plate 31b and the upper cylindrical part 31au of the container 31A are preferably composed of one part.

[0069] Specifically, the state before processing the parts that will constitute the upper end plate 31b and the upper cylindrical part 31au of the container 31A in the future is set as a cylindrical part. And, for example, a filter 45 and a separation plate 47 are assembled into the cylindrical part. After that, the cylindrical part is formed by spinning (Japanese: ヘラ絞り加工) to become the parts that constitute the upper end plate 31b and the upper cylindrical part 31au. That is, returning to Figure 2 shown, in the container 31, there are two parts, namely the upper cup and the lower cup, as the parts that constitute the gas-liquid separation chamber SR. In contrast, in the container 31A, the part that constitutes the gas-liquid separation chamber SR is one. If it is such a single-piece structure, although spinning is required, the number of parts can be reduced, and the process of joining two parts can be eliminated. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the container 31A can be reduced, and a low-cost compressor can be provided. In addition, in the single-piece structure, there is no seam that exists when joining two parts, so the reliability of the compressor 3 is improved.

[0070] As described above, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 of the present embodiment include at least one outlet pipe 43 provided on the side surface of the container 31 where the buffer chamber BR of the liquid receiver 20 is located. And, in the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1, the maximum outer diameter D1 of the part of the container 31 of the liquid receiver 20 where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR of the liquid receiver 20 is located is larger than the maximum outer diameter D2 of the part of the container 31 of the liquid receiver 20 where the buffer chamber BR is located.

[0071] Specifically, the compressor 3 has at least one outlet pipe 43 connected to the lower end plate 31c of the container 31, which is not the receiver 20, and is connected to the lower cylindrical portion 31a1 of the container 31. This outlet pipe is a straight pipe extending substantially parallel to the centerline of the container 31. Therefore, compared to the length of the outlet flow path of the outlet pipe with a bend connected to the lower end plate of the receiver in a conventional compressor, the length of the outlet flow path OP of the outlet pipe 43 can be significantly shortened. By shortening the length of the outlet flow path OP, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 shift the boosting speed of the compressor 3 towards a higher speed, suppressing the deterioration of volumetric efficiency near the maximum speed. Therefore, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 can effectively utilize the boosting effect. In other words, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 can improve the maximum cooling capacity of the compressor 3 by appropriately optimizing the boosting effect in the compressor 3.

[0072] Furthermore, conventional compressors have a curved section in the outlet pipe of the receiver that extends outward from the lower end plate of the receiver container and connects to the suction side of the compression mechanism. As a result, the buffer chamber of the receiver is positioned higher than the suction port, which is connected to the cylinder body chamber of the compression mechanism. In other words, the receiver container is positioned higher due to the curved section of the outlet pipe. Therefore, the required installation volume for a conventional compressor is increased upwards.

[0073] On the other hand, the compressor 3 of this embodiment has at least one outlet pipe 43 consisting of a straight pipe that is connected to the buffer chamber BR and extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the centerline of the container 31. Therefore, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 do not need to move the liquid receiver 20 upward as in conventional compressors, thus improving the installation flexibility of the compressor 3.

[0074] Furthermore, in the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment, the maximum outer diameter D1 of the upper cylinder portion 31au of the receiver 20 is greater than the maximum outer diameter D2 of the lower cylinder portion 31al of the receiver 20. Therefore, the compressor 3 can increase the vertical length of the lower cylinder portion 31al within a height range where the receiver 20 is not located above the receiver position of a conventional compressor. Thus, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 do not increase the maximum outer diameter D2 of the lower cylinder portion 31al to the same level as the maximum outer diameter D1, while ensuring the volume of the buffer chamber BR of the receiver 20 required for adjusting the boost speed. Moreover, by increasing the vertical length of the lower cylinder portion 31al, even when the number of at least one outlet pipe 43 is two or more, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 can ensure space on the side of the lower cylinder portion 31al for arranging two or more outlet pipes 43.

[0075] Furthermore, in the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment, the shortest distance L1 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the upper cylinder 31au of the liquid receiver 20 is less than the shortest distance L2 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the lower cylinder 31al of the liquid receiver 20. The gas-liquid separation chamber SR is located inside the upper cylinder 31au, and the buffer chamber BR is located inside the lower cylinder 31al.

[0076] Generally, if the compressor's sealed container can be brought closer to the receiver, the compressor's installation volume can be reduced, improving installation efficiency. However, in conventional compressors, the outlet pipe, which has a bend connecting the sealed container to the receiver, requires a certain radius of curvature at the bend, and the connection to the joint connecting to the suction side of the compression mechanism must be ensured. Therefore, conventional compressors require a certain distance between the sealed container and the receiver. In other words, in practice, conventional compressors have strict limitations on the distance between the sealed container and the receiver.

[0077] On the other hand, in the compressor 3 of this embodiment, based on satisfying the above-mentioned relationship (1), by making the shortest distance L1 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the outer side of the lower cylinder 31a1 greater than the shortest distance L2 between the outer side of the sealed container 15 and the lower cylinder 31a1, the limitation on the distance between the sealed container 15 and the container 31 of the liquid receiver is locally alleviated. Furthermore, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 can bring the upper cylinder 31au of the container 31, where the gas-liquid separation chamber SR, which requires a large volume, close to the sealed container 15, improving installation feasibility. In other words, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 can bring the outer side of the upper cylinder 31au of the container 31, which does not have an outlet pipe 43, close to the outer side of the cylinder 15a of the sealed container 15, improving installation feasibility.

[0078] Furthermore, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment include a compression mechanism 19 having two or more cylinders 24, 25, and 26. Generally, the more cylinders a compressor has, the larger the liquid receiver becomes. Moreover, in conventional compressors, the more cylinders there are, the higher the liquid receiver is positioned. The compressor 3 of this embodiment can provide outlet pipes 43 corresponding to two or more cylinders 24, 25, and 26 respectively on the side of the lower cylinder portion 31a1 of the liquid receiver 20, so that the liquid receiver 20 is not positioned at the top compared to conventional compressors. Therefore, when the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 have two or more cylinders, the upward expansion of the compressor 3's installation volume can be more effectively prevented.

[0079] Furthermore, in the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment, the refrigerant is a single refrigerant such as R410A or R1234yf, or a mixed refrigerant including at least R1234yf. When using these refrigerants, the compressor 3, while depending on the purpose and specifications, generally operates at a higher speed. Therefore, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 can suppress the reduction in volumetric efficiency even when operating at a higher speed, thus improving their performance. In particular, even when the compressor 3 is driven at a higher speed to keep the pressure range of the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3 within a relatively low pressure range and to ensure a greater refrigerant circulation volume, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 can ensure a sufficient volume of liquid refrigerant within the container 31 while minimizing the overall size of the container 31 of the receiver 20.

[0080] Furthermore, in the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment, the portion of container 31A containing the gas-liquid separation chamber SR of the liquid receiver 20 is a single-piece structure. Therefore, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 can reduce the number of parts and eliminate some of the processes that connect the parts together. Thus, the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1 can reduce the manufacturing cost of the container 31 of the liquid receiver 20, improve the reliability of the container 31, and consequently reduce the manufacturing cost of the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1, while also improving the reliability of the compressor 3 and refrigeration cycle device 1.

[0081] Therefore, the compressor 3 and the refrigeration cycle device 1 of this embodiment can effectively utilize the pressurization effect and have excellent configuration.

[0082] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are given by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope or spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0083] 1…Refrigeration cycle unit, 3…Rotary compressor (compressor), 5…Radiator, 7…Expansion unit, 9…Heat absorber, 13…Refrigerant piping, 13a…Suction pipe, 13b…Discharge pipe, 15…Sealed container, 15a…Cylinder, 15b…Upper end plate, 15c…Lower end plate, 17…Motor, 19…Compression mechanism, 20…Receiver, 21…Connector, 23…Sealed terminal section, 24, 25, 26…Cylinder, 2 7… Welding machine, 31… Container, 31a… Cylinder section, 31au… Upper cylinder section, 31al… Lower cylinder section, 31b… Upper end plate, 31c… Lower end plate, 39… Divider plate, 40… Inlet pipe, 41… Connecting pipe, 41d… Oil return hole, 41i… Inlet opening, 41o… Outlet opening, 43… Outlet pipe, 43i… Inlet opening, 43o… Outlet opening, 45… Filter, 47… Separation plate, 49… Support plate.

Claims

1. A compressor, comprising: Sealed container; A compression mechanism, housed in the sealed container, is capable of compressing the refrigerant; An electric motor, housed in the sealed container, drives the compression mechanism; A liquid reservoir, disposed outside the sealed container, is connected to the suction side of the compression mechanism. The liquid reservoir includes: A cylindrical container with steps; A partition plate is installed inside the container to divide the internal space of the container into a gas-liquid separation chamber and a buffer chamber. An inlet pipe is fixed to the container and connected to the gas-liquid separation chamber; A connecting pipe, passing through the partition plate, connects the gas-liquid separation chamber to the buffer chamber; and At least one outlet pipe is fixed to the container and connected to the buffer chamber. The at least one outlet pipe is disposed on the side of the container where the buffer chamber is located. When the maximum outer diameter of the container portion containing the gas-liquid separation chamber is set to D1, and the maximum outer diameter of the container portion containing the buffer chamber is set to D2, the following conditions are met: D1>D2 (1) The relation is (1).

2. The compressor according to claim 1, When the shortest distance between the outer side of the sealed container and the outer side of the portion of the container where the gas-liquid separation chamber is located is defined as L1, and the shortest distance between the outer side of the sealed container and the outer side of the portion of the container where the buffer chamber is located is defined as L2, the following conditions are met: L1 <L2 (2) Relationship (2).

3. The compressor according to claim 1, The compression mechanism has two or more cylinders.

4. The compressor according to claim 1, The refrigerant is a single refrigerant of R410A and R1234yf, or a mixed refrigerant including at least R1234yf.

5. The compressor according to claim 1, The portion of the container containing the gas-liquid separation chamber is a single-piece structure.

6. A refrigeration cycle device, comprising: The compressor according to any one of claims 1 to 5; heat sink; Expansion device; Heat absorber; and The refrigerant piping connects the compressor, the radiator, the expansion device, and the heat absorber to allow the refrigerant to circulate.

Images